Security forces have killed 27 terrorists during a series of intelligence-based operations (IBOs) conducted over the past 72 hours in the Miranshah area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district, according to the military’s media wing.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said security forces engaged multiple terrorist hideouts in Miranshah as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
“In continuation of a series of intelligence-based operations, security forces engaged multiple khawarij locations in the general area of Miranshah, North Waziristan District,” the statement said.
According to ISPR, 27 terrorists belonging to what it described as the “India-sponsored Fitna al Khawarij” were killed following intense exchanges of fire.
The military said a cache of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the slain militants, who were allegedly involved in multiple terrorist attacks and targeted killings of civilians.
The operation also avenged the killing of tribal elder Malik Saifullah Dawar, who was shot dead outside his residence in Miranshah earlier this year.
“By neutralising this group of killed khawarij, the heinous act of target killing of prominent figure Shaheed Malik Saifullah Dawar in Miranshah has been avenged, and perpetrators have been brought to justice,” the statement said.
The military added that sanitisation operations are continuing in the area to eliminate any remaining militants and ensure the region is cleared of terrorist elements.
According to ISPR, the operations are being carried out under the national counterterrorism framework of Azm-i-Istehkam, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan.
Malik Saifullah Dawar’s killing in May sparked a prolonged gun battle between members of the Darpa Khel and suspected militants in Miranshah. Local sources had claimed that militants had occupied a mosque in the area a day before the incident, but tribal elders, including Dawar, intervened and forced them to vacate the premises.
Pakistan’s security forces have intensified intelligence-based operations in recent months as part of efforts to curb militant violence and dismantle terrorist networks operating in the country’s border regions.
